Directory
Baroque Alchemy
Early music like no other… with a power rarely experienced in classical music… a wonderfully refreshing voyage of discovery and a reinterpretation of old ideas… [which] leaves the audience in awe, wonder and true enthusiasm… a complete success… an extraordinary musical experience… the audience rewarded this accordingly with thunderous applause and standing ovations.
Baroque Alchemy is a refreshingly irreverent take on Baroque music featuring the world’s top recorder virtuoso Piers Adams and his uber-talented keyboard accomplice Lyndy Mayle. Dazzling playing, sophisticated arrangements and surprising sound effects were interspersed with witty introductions at Swaledale Festival, and the audience went away extremely happy. Highly recommended!
Duo - Instrumental
Instrumentation
- Piers Adams - Recorders
- Lyndy Mayle - Keyboards
Repertoire
An eclectic, entertaining and ever-expanding repertoire of music from mediaeval times to the 21st century, with an emphasis on 'alchemised' versions of baroque works. Current favourites include:
Bach - Goldberg Suite (A multi-style romp through Bach's masterpiece!)
Albinoni - The 'Other' Adagio
Forqueray - La Sylva and La Boisson
Telemann - Andante and Danse Rustique
Handel - Aria Amorosa
Vivaldi - The Goldfinch
Pandolfi - La Biancuccia
Montalbano - La Jelosa
Biber - Sonata Representiva
Anon - There Is No Rose
Piazzolla - Cafe 1930
Albeniz - Asturias
Debussy - Syrinx
Ian Clark - Hypnosis
Strauss/Veracini - Also Sprach Veracini
Biography
Baroque Alchemy is the brainchild of legendary recorder virtuoso Piers Adams (founder and front-man of Red Priest) and his keyboardist partner Lyndy Mayle. This is a true crossover between old and new, combining Adams' plethora of baroque and modern recorders with the infinity of sounds available through the electronic keyboard, which can recreate everything from authentic harpsichords, strings and lutes to epic synth sounds reminiscent of Wendy Carlos. This allows for an unusually broad range of expression and repertoire - turning the traditional early music recital well and truly on its head! Piers and Lyndy create a joyful, informal concert atmosphere, combining their musical virtuosity with amusing and informative patter, and enhancing the experience with state-of-the-art sound (via a Macbook and a Bose PA) and lighting.
In its debut touring season in 23-24, Baroque Alchemy gave several concerts for UK music societies, theatres and festivals, as well as the closing concert in the Blockflotenfesttage (the world's premier recorder festival) in Germany, attracting unanimously positive feedback from promoters and audiences everywhere they have performed. The duo's debut CD 'Breaking Free' was released in March 2024 on Red Priest Recordings, at their London debut in the World Heart Beat concert hall.
Scottish born Piers Adams - hailed in the Washington Post as 'the leading recorder virtuoso in the world today' - needs little introduction as his instrument's most dynamic modern-day ambassador. He has given thousands of concerts all over the world with his iconic quartet Red Priest and as soloist with numerous orchestras - including 54 American tours to date, and performances in the Far East, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and every European country. Lyndy Mayle was a prizewinning harpsichord student at the Royal College of Music, and later became a music director at the National Theatre. A qualified music therapist and highly respected piano teacher, Lyndy brings a remarkable freshness, passion and versatility to this innovative musical partnership.
At the heart of everything Piers and Lyndy do is a genuine love of the music, a depth of knowledge of baroque performance practice and a truly open-hearted, adventurous approach to performance which draws in the audience and makes the music accessible to everyone.
Contact
